HEADPHONE ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A headphone assembly (1) adapted for engaging a user's head includes an adjustable headband (2) having first and second ends. A right ear piece (3) is attached to a first end, and a left ear piece (4) is attached to a second end of the headband. Each ear piece is substantially semi-circular shaped, and has a substantially inverted U-shaped shell (10) having an inverted U-shaped inner wall (11).

Description: HEADPHONE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The invention relates generally to an improv headphone. More particularly, the invention relates to headphone having improved ear pieces- Specifically, t invention relates to a headphone wherein the ear piec provide space for the components of a cordless headphone, a which ear pieces are stable on the user's head, and provi ventilation to the users ears and the ability to hear ambie sounds. Background Information Portable radios and cassette players with sma speakers that are held adjacent the ears of the user by headband have become very popular in recent years. Th popularity is increasing as cordless headphones, or se contained headphones, become available. While the use of su devices was originally limited to entertainment, t popularity of these devices has spurred their introducti into the industrial and manufacturing environment Specifically, cordless headphones are often utilized warehouse applications where a worker receives informati from other workers, or from a scanning tool so that the work can appropriately act on that information. Further, headphones become increasingly lightweight and durable, the use during sporting activities is also increasing. While t popularity of these devices is increasing in every facet society, a number of problems are still associated with t prior art designs. A first type of prior art headphone includes e pieces which rest against the user's head circumambient t the user's ears, and completely encloses the user's ears a shown in FIG. 7. While such ear pieces is presumabl sufficient for the purpose for which they were intended, the do not allow ventilation to the user's ears, and therefore, if the user is perspiring, the headphone will becom increasingly uncomfortable. A further problem associated wit this design is that inasmuch as the ear piece completely encloses the ear, the user is unable to hear ambient soun which is a potentially dangerous situation, especially if the user is in an industrial or manufacturing environment, or if the user is in a potentially dangerous situation recreationally, for example, when jogging or biking on a busy street. Lastly, this type of headphone cannot be worn comfortably by persons wearing earrings. A second type of headphone as shown in FIG. 8, is also presumably sufficient to achieve the purpose for which it was intended, but also presents a number of complications. This second style ear piece has a speaker mounted on each free end of the headband. The speaker is covered in soft foa which is supported directly from the user's ear. This headphone presents many of the problems associated with the previously discussed style in that it entirely covers the user's ear canal, and therefore blocks nearly all of the ambient sound. Further, inasmuch as it is supported directly from the user's ear, it is less stable than the previous headphone and therefore is not easily worn in a physically demanding environment. Further, inasmuch as the user's ear supports the full weight of the headphone, it is less comfortable. A third style of prior art headphone as shown in FIG. 9, attempts to solves many of the problems associated with the above two headphone styles but still presents a number of drawbacks. In this third style, the ear piece fits within the user's ear canal and therefore blocks out ambient sound. Although these ear pieces do not collect perspiration and are relatively well anchored to the user's ears permittin them to be utilized in a physically demanding environment inasmuch as the entire speaker is placed in the ear canal this style headphone can become uncomfortable. Further, thi style headphone cannot be cordless, as the electronics woul be too heavy to include on the headband when the entire weigh of the headphone is carried by the user's ear canal. Also inasmuch as this style headphone extends into the ear canal it cannot be used by persons that wear hearing aids withi their ear canal. Therefore, a need exists for a headphone which wil carry the electronics associated with a cordless headphone but which weight is carried by the user's head and not by th users ears, which allows ventilation to the user's ears, an which is well anchored to the user's head. Still further, th need exists for such a headphone which, when in use, allow ambient sound to enter the user's ear. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objectives of the invention include providing a improved headphone which is cordless and self-contained. A further objective includes providing such headphone having an ear piece which allows ventilation an ambient sound to enter the user's ears. Yet another objective is to provide such a headphon having an ear piece, where the weight of such ear piece an headphone is supported by the user's head, not the user's ear A still further objective is to provide such headphone having an ear piece which is well anchored to th user's head when utilized in a physically demandin environment. Yet another objective of the present invention i to provide such a headphone which may be worn by a user wit a hearing aid in their ear canal, and which may also be wor comfortably by user's wearing earrings. A still further objective is to provide such headphone which is of simple construction, which achieves th stated objectives in a simple, effective and inexpensiv manner, and which solves problems and satisfies needs existin in the art. These and other objectives and advantages of th invention are obtained by the improved headphone of th invention, the general nature of which may be stated a including a headband adapted for engaging a user's head havin first and second ends; a first ear piece mounted adjacent th first end of the headband and a second ear piece mounte adjacent the second end of the headband; means to attach th ear pieces to the headband; each of said ear pieces include a shell having a bottom wall formed with an opening, an having an acoustic cavity which communicates with said botto wall opening; said cavity being sized to receive an uppe portion of a user's ear which extends through said bottom wal opening when mounted on a user's head; electroni communication circuitry mounted in one of the ear piec shells; and a power supply mounted in the other of the ea pieces and connected to the circuitry in the said one ea piece through the headband. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention illustrative of the best mode in which the applicant ha contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in th following description and is shown in the drawings and i particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in th appended claims. FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the headphon assembly of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially alo line 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational vie looking in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an exploded prospective view of the righ ear piece of FIG. 1 with the headband broken away; FIG. 5 is an exploded prospective view of the lef ear piece of FIG. 1 with the headband broken away; FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, of th headphone shown in cooperation with a user's head which i shown in dot-dash lines; FIG 7 is a perspective view of one style of prio art headphone; FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a second style o prior art headphone; and FIG. 9 is a elevational view of a third style o prior art headphone. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughou the drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A headphone assembly according to the presen invention is designated generally at 1, and is show particularly in FIGS 1-3. Headphone assembly 1 includes headband 2 and first and second ear pieces 3 and 4 respectively. Headband 2 preferably is formed of a resilien flexible plastic, and in the preferred embodiment, i adjustable. Specifically, headband 2 has an arcuately shape base member 5 generally curved to the shape of a user's head with ends 6 which are slideably engaged in slide members 7 Preferably, the sliding engagement between slide members 7 an base 5 is governed by a detent, or rachet assembly 8, both o which are well known in the art. However, any means o engagement between slides 7 and base 5 may be utilized withou departing from the spirit of the present invention. Ear pieces 3 and 4 are similar and therefore, onl one will be described in complete detail. Referrin specifically to Figs 1-5, ear piece 3 includes a substantiall semi-circular shell indicated generally at 10, having substantially inverted U-shaped inner wall or support plat 11, and an outer wall or ear plate 12. A cover plate 13 i complementarily sized to fit onto outer wall 12 of shell 10. Similarly, a resilient foam comfort pad 14 is attached t inner wall 11 for engaging the user's head. In accordance with one of the main features of the invention, and referring to FIGS 4-5, inner wall 11 is forme with an acoustic cavity 17, the rear wall 15 of which is formed by the rear surface of outer wall 12. An inverted U- shaped cavity perimeter wall 22 having opposed parallel sidewall sections (FIG. 5), joins inner wall 11 and outer wall 12, and defines acoustic cavity 17. A plurality of holes 23 extend through outer wall 12 and cavity wall 15 an communicate with acoustic cavity 17. A substantially inverted U-shaped semi-circular perimeter wall 24 extends outwardly from inner wall 11 toward outer wall 12 a distance substantially equal to the width of cavity perimeter wall 22. Perimeter wall 24 terminates at a bottom or end wall 26 having spaced apart wall portions 27 (FIG. 5) which join cavity perimeter wall 22 and perimeter wall 24. Wall portions 27 are spaced apart by a bottom end access opening 28 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 6), provided in a lower end of each of the ear pieces for receiving a user's ear partially thereon. As such, inner wall 11, outer perimeter wall 24, inner cavity perimeter wall 22, wall portions 27 and access opening 28 form a substantially inverted U-shaped cavity or chamber 25 (FIG. 5) in shell 10 of each of the ear pieces. Further, perimeter wall 24 includes a notch 18 which is complementarily sized to the cross-section of headband 2 so as to receive headband 2 therein, when base 5 is assembled with cover plate 13. The right ear piece 3 (FIG. 4) includes substantially inverted U-shaped power board 30 which complementarily sized to fit within U-shaped chamber 25 shell 10. Power board 30 is shown in reverse in FIG. 4 fr the direction it will assume when mounted in ear piece 3 f clarity. Three battery clips 31 are mounted on power boa 30 for releasably holding standard 1.5 volt batteries 32 whi provide the power source for the electronic circuitry of t headphones. Similarly, left ear piece 4 (FIG. 5) includes inverted U-shaped circuit board 35, which board complementarily sized to fit within U-shaped chamber 2 Circuit board 35 is fitted with one of a variety of well kno electrical circuits which could be a printed circuit or ha wired, for sending and receiving signals used in prior a headphones. Therefore, no particular circuitry is shown complete detail. However, in the preferred embodimen circuit board 35 is fitted with the electronic elements readily known in the art to form a cordless radio receiver f receiving either public radio transmissions for entertainme purposes, or for receiving private transmissions in the fo of radio waves, or infrared signals, such as when used in industrial or commercial setting. In the industrial manufacturing setting, these radio waves or signals a instructions to the user when in the workplace, such that t user may appropriately act on such signals or instructions. When power board 30 or circuit board 35 is mount within a corresponding chamber 25, the rear surface there contacts the inner surface of inner wall 11. Speaker lea 36 also extends off of each board 30 and 35, and connects t a respective speaker 37. In assembly, a power feed wire 3 extends through headband 2 to supply power from power boa 30 to circuit board 35. Similarly, a speaker lead wire 3 extends ' from circuit board 35 to power board 30 to connect t speaker leads 36. When boards 30 and 35 are mounted in respectiv chambers 25, speakers 37 are mounted adjacent the inne surfaces of outer wall 12, and behind acoustic holes 23 suc that sound emanating from speakers 37 is transferred int acoustic cavities 17, through holes 23. Once boards 30 an 35 are mounted in respective chambers 25, and speakers 37 ar mounted adjacent holes 23, a cover plate 13 is snap mounte onto each shell 10 thereby enclosing speakers 37 and th corresponding board 30 or 35. Preferably, cover 13 which i mounted over power board 30 is removably mounted thereon, s as to allow access to battery clips 31 for replacement o batteries 32. However, cover 13 could be permanently mounte onto shell 10, and have an access door (not shown) to allo for replacement of the batteries, without departing from th spirit of the present invention. Lastly, comfort pads 14 are mounted on each inne wall 11, preferably by an adhesive, or by any convenien attachment means, in order to provide increased comfort to th wearer. As is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, cover plate 13 may take a variety of shapes without departin from the spirit of the invention. However, in the preferre embodiment, plate 13 is substantially dome shaped, such tha sufficient space is provided between the inner surface of cover plate 13 and wall 12, so that speaker element 37 may be interposed therebetween. Turning to the operation of headphone assembly 1 an referring specifically to FIG. 6, there is shown headphone assembly 1 worn by a user. Specifically, headband 2 extends over the user's head, with the user's ear extending partiall into acoustic cavity 17 through bottom end opening 28. Whe the headphone is worn by the user, approximately the uppe one-half of the user's ear 40 extends into acoustic cavit 17, and the remainder of the user's ear extends out of access opening 28 in endwall 26. In this manner a portion of th entrance to the user's ear canal partially extends out o acoustic cavity 17 to allow the user to hear ambient sounds Further, inasmuch as the user's ear canal remain unimpinged by speaker elements, a user with a hearing aid ma still utilize this headphone. Also, inasmuch as the user' earlobes extend outwardly from the ear piece, a user wit earrings can also use the headphone. Likewise, inverted U shaped foam pad 14 will press lightly against the user's hea and cavity perimeter walls 22 may engage the user's ears t retain the headphone on the user's head and in position wit respect to the user's ears. However, the ear itself does no support the weight of the headphone as it is directl supported on the user's head in the area circumambient to th user's ear at foam pad 14. Thus the headphone remains stabl on the user's ears while still remaining comfortable to th user's head. Accordingly, the improved headphone assembly i simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, an efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prio devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in th art. In the foregoing description, certain terms hav been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but n unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond th requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used fo descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed Moreover, the description and illustration of th invention is by way of example, and the scope of the inventio is not limited to the exact details shown or described. Having now described the features, discoveries an principles of the invention, the manner in which the improve headphone assembly is constructed and used, th characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous, ne and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, ar set forth in the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A headphone comprising : a headband adapted to extend along a portion of user's head; a first ear piece mounted on the headband; means for attaching the ear piece to the headband said ear piece having a shell formed with partially enclosed acoustic cavity having an open lower en adapted to accept and partially enclose only an upper portio of a user's ear, with a lower portion of the user's ea extending through said open end; and a speaker element mounted adjacent the acousti cavity of the shell. 2 . A headphone assembly as defined in Claim wherein the acoustic cavity has an inverted U-shape formed b spaced parallel sidewalls and an endwall substantiall perpendicular to said sidewalls; and in which said open en of the cavity is formed in said endwall. 3. A headphone assembly as defined in Claim wherein a cover plate is mounted on the shell and extends ove the speaker element such that the speaker element i interposed between the cover plate and the shell. 4. A headphone assembly as defined in Claim wherein the headband includes first and second ends with th first ear piece being mounted adjacent the first end; in whic a second ear piece is mounted adjacent the second end of th headband; in which said second ear piece has an ear plate wit acoustic openings distributed through said ear plate and ha a second speaker element disposed against a back surface o the ear plate and aligned over the acoustic openings; in whic a substantially U-shaped support plate extends outwardly fro the ear plate's perimeter defining an acoustic cavity with one open side; and in which said cavity is adapted to partially accept a user's ear and partially close it, with the remaining portion of the user's ear extending through said one open end. 5. A headphone assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein a resilient pad is mounted on the shell for engagement with the user's head. 6. A headphone assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein an inverted U-shaped chamber is formed in the shell and extends generally about the acoustic cavity. 7. A headphone assembly as defined in Claim 6 wherein a U-shaped support plate is mounted in the U-shaped chamber; and in which communication circuitry is mounted on said support plate. 8. A headphone assembly as defined in Claim 6 wherein the inverted U-shaped chamber and acoustic cavity are located on opposite sides of the shell. 9. A headphone assembly as defined in Claim 1 in which a second ear piece substantially similar to the first ear piece is mounted on an opposite end of the headband from said first ear piece. 10. A headphone assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein the headband includes adjusting means for adjusting the length of the headband. 11. A headphone comprising: a headband having first and second ends for engagin a wearer's head; a first ear piece mounted adjacent the first end o the headband and a second ear piece mounted adjacent th second end of the headband; means to attach the ear pieces to the headband; each of said ear pieces includes a shell having bottom wall formed with an opening, and having an acousti cavity which communicates with said bottom wall opening; sai cavity being sized to receive an upper portion of a user's ea which extends through said bottom wall opening when mounte on a user's head; electronic communication circuitry mounted in on of the ear piece shells; and a power supply mounted in the other of the ear piec shells and connected to the circuitry in the said one ea piece shell through the headband. 12. A headphone as defined in Claim 11 wherein generally inverted U-shaped chamber is formed in each of th ear piece shells and extends generally about the acousti cavity; and in which each of the power source and electroni circuitry is mounted in a respective one of said inverted U shaped chambers. 13. A headphone as defined in Claim 12 in which complementary shaped mounting board is located within each o the inverted U-shaped chambers; in which the power source i a plurality of batteries mounted on one of the boards; and i which the electronic circuitry is mounted on the other of sai boards. 14. The headphone as defined in Claim 12 in whic a speaker element is mounted in each of the ear piece adjacent the respective acoustic cavity. 15. The headphone as defined in Claim 14 in whic a dome-shaped cover plate is mounted on each of the ear piec shells and forms a compartment for housing each of th speakers. 16. The headphone as defined in Claim 11 in whic an inverted U-shaped resilient pad is mounted on each of th shells adapted to engage a wearer's head.

Inventors: KUMAR RAJENDRA, KUMAR, RAJENDRA
Applicants: KHYBER TECHNOLOGIES CORP, KHYBER TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H04R25
IPC codes: H04R1, H04R5